Are you seeing any clear timelines when it comes to adopting new low-GWP refrigerants in the region, or is it business as usual? 
There is no definitive timeline for the widespread adoption of low-GWP refrigerants in the region, but initiatives such as The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which aims to limit the production and consumption of HFCs, paired with the growing availability of low-GWP refrigerants, will accelerate the transition.

Our scientists and engineers anticipated the need for low-GWP solutions more than a decade ago, investing USD 1 billion into the development and manufacturing of more environmentally friendly refrigerant technologies (HFOs). We continue to be focused on investing in further innovation and exploration into how to build upon the superior performance, energy efficiencies and environmental benefits of our low-GWP solutions.

We are already working with companies in the region to help them transition to our line of low-GWP refrigerants. One example of this is our partnership with Trane Technologies. By utilising the zd (R-1233zd) in their chillers at 26 sites across the UAE, they are avoiding 42,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions in the UAE each year.

Have COP28, the UAE Consensus and the Global Cooling Pledge helped trigger a more aggressive approach to mitigating climate change in the region?
COP28, the UAE Consensus and the Global Cooling Pledge are raising awareness about climate change in the region and fostering an environment conducive to innovation. New technology must be developed and implemented for the Middle East to meet emission-reduction targets. We are supporting the industry by ensuring our customers have the low-GWP, energy-efficient solutions that meet their needs now, and we continue to invest in research and development to anticipate the needs of tomorrow. This approach will not only help curb cooling-related emissions but will also strengthen and improve energy efficiencies, leading to reduced energy costs and improved grid/infrastructure resilience.

Generally speaking, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is seen as a greater motivator than emission reduction. Could TCO be used as an effective leverage for more aggressive climate action? 
When you look at the total cost of ownership, HFOs can often be lower than ammonia and CO2. Companies across the Middle East already recognise the importance of addressing climate change, and HFOs provide the financial incentive for them to do so.

There is recent data from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in the United States that confirms HFOs are the most energy efficient solution for cooling – as compared to alternatives, HFO-based systems will consume 8%-50% less energy over the lifetime of a commercial refrigerator when compared to CO2, and 5%-21% less energy when compared to propane. Lower energy usage directly translates to lower energy bills and lower costs.

Towards that end, how can energy efficiency gains and emission reduction potential through deploying new refrigerant technologies be used to goad greater action? 
According to the International Energy Agency, commercial and residential buildings consume nearly one-third of the world’s energy – heating and cooling are responsible for half of that, and are equally impactful sources of emissions. Low-GWP refrigerant technology provides solutions to help customers reduce their carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency without sacrificing performance and safety.

The industry has been preparing for a phase-down of HFCs for several years now, and with the increasing availability of HFOs, this ongoing refrigerant transition will continue to play a substantial role in reducing energy usage, decarbonising buildings and combating climate change.

Europe has been at the forefront of a refrigerant transition, as has been North America. In the case of Europe, the relatively recent initiative of increasing the permissible charge of, say R290, to 500g is a watershed development. It is a collective, collaborative and coordinated effort by the EU and has addressed building codes and occupant safety. What can the GCC region learn from this sort of collective initiative?
This type of initiative shows a growing demand for more environmentally friendly refrigerant solutions across various industries and the need to work collaboratively with government entities to effectively and predictably phase down the use of HFCs. Initiatives such as this, or the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020, help provide the certainty the industry needs to transition away from high-GWP refrigerants. This serves as a reminder to the GCC region that they need to be prepared with retrofitting and new installations for the adoption of more sustainable refrigerant solutions.

Saudi Arabia, in particular, has embarked on a cascade of mega developments. The surplus of greenfield projects announced presents a massive opportunity to get things right from the get-go. How can the HVACR industry help leapfrog less-efficient and less-climate-friendly solutions and ensure the adoption of the best-in-class systems towards a more robust sustainable development future?
According to the International Energy Agency, commercial and residential buildings consume nearly one-third of the world’s energy – heating and cooling are responsible for half of that, and are equally impactful sources of emissions. By investing in climate-friendly technology when planning new mega developments, Saudi Arabia and the region have the opportunity to grow their economy while minimising their carbon footprint. By utilising low-GWP solutions that are on the market right now, the HVACR industry can help new developments operate efficiently, safely and sustainably. Implementing this technology off the bat also helps prevent the need for facility updates down the line, as governments impose new regulations and HFCs are phased out around the globe.

Building-retrofit projects have been gathering pace in the GCC region. What scope do brownfield projects provide for a strong refrigerant transition?
Brownfield projects play a role in the refrigerant transition, as new technology and low-GWP refrigerants are implemented during building retrofits, especially for projects focused on building decarbonisation and electrification. Leveraging existing infrastructure and modernising it to meet new efficiency and environmental standards will facilitate a smooth transition away from HFCs. These retrofit projects also enable the transition, because the timeline for completing them is often much shorter and less complex than the construction of a new facility. These projects allow the refrigerant transition to happen at a more accelerated pace.

Is there a blueprint that can be established for a structured and orderly transition to profoundly climate friendly refrigerants? 
The transition to climate-friendly refrigerants is already underway with the international ratification and adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The Kigali Amendment’s phased approach can serve as a powerful roadmap for all nations and industries to responsibly phase down (and eventually out) their use of high-GWP HFCs. While there is certainly more work that needs to be done, various industries and government entities must work together to ensure a structured and orderly transition. Safe and effective low-GWP refrigerants, like HFOs, must also be readily available.